5 dead after Typhoon Lan hits Japan

A man crosses a Tokyo street in a rainstorm brought on by Typhoon Lan on Sunday. The storm brought over 30 inches of rain in 48 hours to some parts of Japan and is blamed for five deaths. Photo by Franck Robichon/EPA

Typhoon Lan struck Japan's eastern coast on Sunday, resulting in at least five deaths before it traveled out to sea on Monday. Image courtesy of Japan Meteorological Agency

Oct. 23 (UPI) -- Typhoon Lan traveled out to sea early Monday after hitting Japan's east coast, killing at least five people.

The powerful storm brought 100 mph winds as it struck Shizuoka Prefecture and dumped more than 30 inches of rain in 48 hours, beginning Sunday, the Japan Meteorological Agency said. A gust of 164.5 mph was recorded in Okayama province.

The deaths included a man and woman who officials said drowned in their cars, a man who fell from a construction site scaffold, and one who fell from his boat. Another was hurt after he was caught in a mudslide, Japan Today reported.

More than 200,000 people were ordered to evacuate by the country's Fire and Disaster Management Agency, with 2.2 million more homes under advisory to evacuate.

The typhoon, which struck Taiwan before turning north toward Japan, was the equivalent of a Category 2 hurricane, according to the Saffir-Simpson Wind Scale.

The storm weakened as it passed east of Tokyo, with little disruption to Monday morning commuters. Still, more than 100 flights were canceled by Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways. The Tokaido Shinkansen commuter train from Osaka to Tokyo was delayed, as were some local commuter trains.